WRAL.com - Local News

Scattered bands of storms, showers roll through N.C.

Fri, 16 May 2008 22:24:58 -0400

WRAL's viewing area is under a hazardous-weather outlook for the remainder of Friday. There's a slight risk of severe thunderstorms and damaging winds.

Metal rustlers target storm drains

Fri, 16 May 2008 22:17:14 -0400

Throughout the state, thieves have been taking storm drain covers, made of metals that can net them $30 to $80 in quick cash.

State lawmaker calls for gas tax holiday

Fri, 16 May 2008 18:48:38 -0400

Presidential candidates have debated temporarily suspending the federal gas tax. Now, state lawmakers are looking at a gas tax holiday this summer.

911 caller: 'I think this baby's dead'

Fri, 16 May 2008 18:01:49 -0400

A 911 call released Friday reveals a neighbor trying to perform CPR on an unconscious toddler. The man said to be the 2-year-old's mother's boyfriend is charged with murder.

Red tape forcing man to give up pet bobcat

Fri, 16 May 2008 18:44:32 -0400

North Carolina wildlife officials say a Lenoir County man must surrender his cat, because its species is native to the state. There's no state law, however, governing exotic animals.

Hundreds of vases stolen from Raleigh cemeteries

Fri, 16 May 2008 20:08:01 -0400

Copper thieves are likely behind the theft of approximately 600 bronze vases from two Raleigh cemeteries, investigators said.

Woman killed by bus identified as Scottish exchange student

Fri, 16 May 2008 20:25:16 -0400

The jogger hit and killed by a Chapel Hill Transit bus Thursday was a University of North Carolina law school student from Scotland, police said Friday.

Raleigh waits on Army before banning ammo at scrap plants

Fri, 16 May 2008 16:55:14 -0400

Three months after a load of unexploded ordnance wound up at a Raleigh scrap-metals plant, city officials continue to study possible limits on what materials such plants can accept.

Parking tickets irk Raleigh delivery drivers

Fri, 16 May 2008 18:17:03 -0400

Despite a growing number of citations issued to FedEx, UPS and other drivers, the City Council is reluctant to create more loading zones downtown.

Student victims of beach house fire remembered

Fri, 16 May 2008 20:52:34 -0400

A cross-shaped memorial was unveiled Friday at Ocean Isle Beach to honor seven South Carolina college students killed in a beach house fire last October.

Gov. wants disaster-relief funds for Onslow, Jones counties

Fri, 16 May 2008 21:06:47 -0400

A declaration of disaster in tornado-damaged areas of Onslow County would also let Jones County residents apply for help with storm recovery.

Sand sculptors, puppeteers ready Raleigh for Artsplosure

Fri, 16 May 2008 22:29:25 -0400

Artsplosure, a free outdoor event featuring artists' booths and musical performances, will be held rain or shine this weekend.

Parents organize to change bathroom policy

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:16:13 -0400

Going potty without a partner can lead to punishment for students at a Burgaw elementary school, but parents want the policy flushed.

Lawmakers debate prison spending, budget concerns

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:57:19 -0400

North Carolina's growing prison population is fast outstripping prison capacity, and state lawmakers are seeking solutions as they craft a budget.

Search for soldier's killer leads to Lee County

Fri, 16 May 2008 14:49:00 -0400

Police announced an increased reward in the investigation into the shooting death of a Fort Bragg soldier outside Sharky's Cabaret.

Ailing fugitive headed back to Md. years after prison escape

Fri, 16 May 2008 14:39:14 -0400

An 81-year-old North Carolina man in poor health who escaped from a Maryland prison 43 years ago appears headed back to jail.

4 charged in shooting death of Fayetteville man

Fri, 16 May 2008 13:15:07 -0400

Ulice Graham, 63, was pronounced dead at WakeMed in Raleigh Thursday evening.

N.C. unemployment rate rises to 5.4% – highest since August 2005

Fri, 16 May 2008 12:12:48 -0400

State did add 3,306 jobs, but unemployment jumped by 7,882. Jobs are available, but landing one can be challenging, the N.C. Employment Security Commission says.

82nd Airborne coming back home early

Fri, 16 May 2008 16:22:13 -0400

The Army's 82nd Airborne Division's 1st brigade will return from duty in Iraq in July, an unexpected reduction in the unit's tour from 15 to 12 months.

Wake County names Teacher of the Year

Fri, 16 May 2008 18:03:53 -0400

A fourth grade teacher was honored Thursday night as Wake County Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year. Superintendent Del Burns praised the winner as a leader among educators.

Report: Duke cutting off service more often this year

Fri, 16 May 2008 19:27:12 -0400

A review of state records shows Duke Energy is shutting off service to more customers this year because they can't pay their bills.

Do My Job: Behind the Durham Bulls’ scoreboard

Fri, 16 May 2008 08:50:00 -0400

As part of her weeklong series, “Do My Job," WRAL reporter Kim Dean learned how to work the manual scoreboard at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Family of Duke steam explosion victim hires attorney

Fri, 16 May 2008 10:26:33 -0400

The family of a man killed Wednesday in a steam pipe explosion at Duke University has hired a Raleigh attorney as concerns over workplace-safety begin to surface.

State: Ailing Falls Lake needs assistance

Fri, 16 May 2008 06:50:45 -0400

Eliminating excessive chlorophyll from the lake could lead to more restrictions on nearby development and road construction and changes to Durham's wastewater treatment plant.

Rocky Mount: No 'credible evidence' for ex-police cadet's claims

Thu, 15 May 2008 21:24:01 -0400

An investigation by city employees found no "substantive, reliable and credible evidence" to support the claims of a former police cadet that she was forced out of her job after a sexual relationship with the police chief.